The Negative Impact of Group Psychological Abuse on Life Satisfaction and Well-being.

In the context of the adverse effects of psychological abuse, this study examined satisfaction with life, psychological well-being, and social well-being in survivors of social groups that are high-demand, manipulative, totalitarian, or abusive toward their members. We specifically tested the mediating role between group psychological abuse and current well-being of psychological stress suffered after leaving the group. An online questionnaire was administered to 636 Spanish-speaking former members of different groups, 377 victims of group psychological abuse and 259 nonvictims. Participants reporting group psychological abuse showed significantly lower levels of life satisfaction, psychological well-being, and social well-being compared to nonvictims. Greater differences in well-being between victims and nonvictims were related to positive relationships with others (d = .85), self-acceptance (d = .51), social integration (d = .44), and social acceptance (d = .41). Victims' life satisfaction and well-being were positively correlated with the time that has passed since leaving the group, but nonsignificant effects were found regarding the type of the group (i.e., religious vs. nonreligious), the age at which they joined the group (i.e., born into or raised in the group vs. during adulthood), the length of group membership, and the method of leaving (i.e., personal reflection, counseled, or expelled). Moderate associations were found between group psychological abuse, psychological stress, and well-being measures, and results demonstrated that psychological stress mediated the impact of group psychological abuse on life satisfaction and well-being. Understanding the negative impact of group psychological abuse on well-being is important to promote survivors' optimal functioning during their integration process into the out-group society.

The impact of group psychological abuse on distress: the mediating role of social functioning and resilience.

Background: Previous studies indicate that social functioning and resilience can mitigate the adverse psychological effects of interpersonal violence. Unfortunately, the role of these variables has not been studied in survivors of groups, organizations, and communities in which psychological abusive strategies are inflicted to recruit and dominate their members. Objective: To examine the mediating role of social functioning and resilience in the relationship between psychological abuse experienced in the past while in a group and current psychosocial distress and psychopathological symptoms. Method: In this cross-sectional study, an online questionnaire was administered to 794 English-speaking former members of different kinds of groups, such as religious, pseudo therapeutic, pyramid scheme groups, and others. Among them, 499 were victims of group psychological abuse and 295 were non-victims. Results: Victims of group psychological abuse reported lower levels of social functioning and resilience than non-victims, and higher levels of psychosocial difficulties and psychopathological symptoms. Serial mediation analyses revealed that social functioning and resilience mediated part of the impact of group psychological abuse on psychosocial difficulties and psychopathological symptoms. Sex and age joining the group were included as covariates. Participants who had experienced higher levels of group psychological abuse tend to have poorer social functioning, which is related to lower resilience. In turn, lower levels of social functioning and resilience are related with higher distress. Conclusions: This research sheds light on the underlying mechanisms involved in the relationship between group psychological abuse and distress suffered following this kind of traumatic experiences. Findings highlight the protective role of social adjustment, which can help promote and enhance resilience and mitigate psychosocial difficulties and psychopathological symptoms in survivors of group psychological abuse.

Antecedentes: Estudios previos indican que la adaptación social y la resiliencia pueden mitigar los efectos psicológicos adversos de situaciones de violencia interpersonal. Desafortunadamente, no se ha estudiado aún el rol de estas variables en supervivientes de grupos, organizaciones y comunidades en las cuales se aplican estrategias de abuso psicológico para reclutar y dominar a sus miembros.Objetivo: Examinar el rol mediador de la adaptación social y la resiliencia en la relación entre el abuso psicológico experimentado en un grupo en el pasado y el malestar psicosocial y síntomas psicopatológicos sufridos en la actualidad.Método: Se diseñó un estudio transversal y se administró un cuestionario online a 794 personas de habla inglesa exmiembros de grupos de distinta naturaleza, como religiosos, pseudo terapéuticos, de estructura piramidal, u otros. De ellas, 499 fueron víctimas de abuso psicológico en grupo y 295 personas no fueron víctimas.Resultados: Las víctimas de abuso psicológico en grupos reportaron menores niveles de adaptación social y resiliencia que las personas que no fueron víctimas, y mayores niveles de dificultades psicosociales y síntomas psicopatológicos. Los análisis de mediación en serie revelaron que la adaptación social y la resiliencia mediaron parte del impacto del abuso psicológico en las dificultades psicosociales y los síntomas psicopatológicos. El sexo y la edad de entrada al grupo fueron introducidos como covariantes. Los participantes que han experimentado mayores niveles de abuso psicológico en grupos tienden a tener menor funcionamiento social, lo que está relacionado con menor resiliencia. En consecuencia, menores niveles de funcionamiento social y resiliencia se relacionan con mayor malestar.Conclusiones: Este estudio ayuda a comprender los mecanismos subyacentes implicados en la relación del abuso psicológico en grupos y el malestar sufrido después de este tipo de experiencias traumáticas. Los hallazgos resaltan la importancia del rol protector de la adaptación social, el cual puede ayudar a promover y mejorar la resiliencia y a mitigar las dificultades psicosociales y síntomas psicopatológicos en supervivientes de abuso psicológico en grupos.

Group Psychological Abuse and Psychopathological Symptoms: The Mediating Role of Psychological Stress.

In the context of the long-term effects of psychological abuse, this study examined psychological stress and psychopathological symptoms in survivors of groups with cultic dynamics where abusive behaviors take place on an ongoing basis. We specifically tested the mediating role of psychological stress suffered after the departure from the group between the group psychological abuse experienced and current psychopathology. An online questionnaire was administered to 608 Spanish-speaking former members of different groups. We distributed participants into a sample of victims (N = 365) and a sample of nonvictims (N = 243), according to whether or not they reported having experienced group psychological abuse. Moderate associations were found among group psychological abuse, psychological stress, and psychopathological symptoms. Greater differences in psychological stress intensity between samples were related to personal conflicts (ηp2 = .30) and social relations (ηp2 = .29). Greater differences in psychopathological symptoms were related to paranoid ideation (ηp2 = .17), psychoticism (ηp2 = .15), depression (ηp2 = .15), and interpersonal sensitivity (ηp2 = .13). Moreover, mediation testing demonstrated that psychological stress partially mediated the impact of group psychological abuse on psychopathological symptoms. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the long-term effects of group psychological abuse. Survivors of abusive groups not only need help in dealing with psychopathological symptoms, but also need resources to cope with stressful environmental demands. Interventions should address both psychological stress and clinical symptoms to promote survivors' health and well-being during their integration process into the outgroup society.

Development and Validation of a Measure of Emotional Distress in Survivors of Group Psychological Abuse.

In the context of the negative consequences of psychological abuse, a scale was developed to specifically assess the emotional disturbances in individuals who had experienced abusive behaviors over a period of time within a cultic group. The Emotional Distress Scale in Survivors of Abusive Groups (EDS-SAG) was administered, along with other relevant measures of group psychological abuse and psychopathological symptoms, to 706 Spanish-speaking former members of different groups, distributed into two samples according to whether they had experienced group psychological abuse (n = 413) or not (n = 293). Analyses supported a unidimensional structure of the 18 items on the EDS-SAG, explaining 50.7% of the total variance. This factorial solution was found to be stable when the sample of victims was split by sex and by the age of involvement in the group. Results also showed adequate reliability of the scores and significant associations between the scores on the EDS-SAG and the scores on measures of group psychological abuse (PAEGS: .86, p < .001) and psychopathological symptoms (BSI: .30, p < .001; PTCI: .46, p < .001). The results obtained reveal that this new scale is a suitable tool for measuring emotional distress in Spanish-speaking survivors of abusive groups. In the research field, it would be possible to evaluate the antecedents of emotional distress or their protective factors. In applied contexts, it would be possible to rigorously evaluate the emotional difficulties of abuse victims, allowing a better diagnosis and therapeutic approach. All of this will contribute to the assessment and understanding of the long-term consequences of group psychological abuse.

Development and validation of a measure of emotional distress in survivors of group psychological abuse

In the context of the negative consequences of psychological abuse, a scale was developed to specifically assess the emotional disturbances in individuals who had experienced abusive behaviors over a period of time within a cultic group. The Emotional Distress Scale in Survivors of Abusive Groups (EDS-SAG) was administered, along with other relevant measures of group psychological abuse and psychopathological symptoms, to 706 Spanish-speaking former members of different groups, distributed into two samples according to whether they had experienced group psychological abuse (n = 413) or not (n = 293). Analyses supported a unidimensional structure of the 18 items on the EDS-SAG, explaining 50.7% of the total variance. This factorial solution was found to be stable when the sample of victims was split by sex and by the age of involvement in the group. Results also showed adequate reliability of the scores and significant associations between the scores on the EDS-SAG and the scores on measures of group psychological abuse (PAEGS: .86, p < .001) and psychopathological symptoms (BSI: .30, p < .001; PTCI: .46, p < .001). The results obtained reveal that this new scale is a suitable tool for measuring emotional distress in Spanish-speaking survivors of abusive groups. In the research field, it would be possible to evaluate the antecedents of emotional distress or their protective factors. In applied contexts, it would be possible to rigorously evaluate the emotional difficulties of abuse victims, allowing a better diagnosis and therapeutic approach. All of this will contribute to the assessment and understanding of the long-term consequences of group psychological abuse

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La "Escala de abuso psicológico experimentado en grupos": propiedades psicométricas de la versión española / The Psychological Abuse Experienced in Groups Scale: Psychometric properties of the Spanish version

The Psychological Abuse Experienced in Groups Scale (PAEGS) is a self-reported questionnaire measuring psychologically abusive behaviors experienced within a group. The purpose of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the PAEGS for its use in the Spanish-speaking population. An online questionnaire was administered to 269 former members of abusive groups and to 268 former members of non-abusive groups. The main results showed a one dimensional factor structure explaining 55.47% of the total variance with an internal consistency of .97, and a high discriminatory power to distinguish between abusive and non-abusive group experiences. In addition, significant correlations were found between the PAEGS and group abusiveness and psychological distress measures, providing further evidence of validity. The Spanish version of the PAEGS is proposed to overcome limitations of previous instruments, and it can be useful in research and applied contexts to assess the extent of psychological abuse experienced within a certain group

La "Escala de abuso psicológico experimentado en grupos" (PAEGS, por sus siglas en inglés) es un cuestionario autoadministrado que mide comportamientos de abuso psicológico experimentados en el seno de un grupo. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las propiedades psicométricas del PAEGS para su uso en población hispanoparlante. Se administró la PAEGS en línea a 269 ex-miembros de grupos abusivos y a 268 e-miembros de grupos no abusivos. Los principales resultados mostraron una estructura factorial unidimensional que explicó el 55,47% de la varianza total con una consistencia interna de 0,97, así como un alto poder discriminatorio para distinguir entre experiencias grupales abusivas y no abusivas. Además, se encontraron correlaciones significativas entre la PAEGS y medidas del grado de abuso que caracteriza al grupo y de malestar psicológico aportándose mayores indicios de validez. Se propone la versión española de la PAEGS para superar las limitaciones de instrumentos previos, pudiendo resultar de utilidad tanto en el ámbito de la investigación como en contextos aplicados para evaluar el grado de abuso psicológico experimentado dentro de un determinado grupo

Measuring psychological abuse in same-sex couples: evidence of validity of the EAPA-P in a Spanish-speaking sample / Evaluación del abuso psicológico en parejas del mismo sexo: evidencias de validez de la EAPA-P en una muestra de habla hispana

Antecedentes: La investigación del abuso psicológico en parejas del mismo sexo se ha incrementado en las últimas décadas. Sin embargo, los pocos estudios de validación de medidas estandarizadas se han realizado en países anglosajones. La Escala de Abuso Psicológico Aplicado en la Pareja (EAPA-P) es un cuestionario auto-administrado que mide comportamientos abusivos experimentados en relaciones de pareja. El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar las propiedades psicométricas de la EAPA-P en parejas del mismo sexo compuestas por personas hispano-hablantes. Método: 372 lesbianas, gais y bisexuales participaron en el estudio a través de un cuestionario en línea. Se examinó la estructura interna, las correlaciones con una medida de malestar psicológico y la capacidad de discriminación de la escala. La fiabilidad se examinó mediante el coeficiente alfa ordinal. Resultados: Se extrajo un único factor que explicó el 52.27% de la varianza total, obteniendo una fiabilidad de .95. El análisis discriminante reveló una puntuación mayor de 12 como punto de corte óptimo para identificar la victimización. Se hallaron correlaciones significativas entre las puntuaciones de la EAPA-P y sintomatología depresiva. Conclusiones: La EAPA-P parece ser un instrumento válido y fiable para evaluar el abuso psicológico en personas hispano-hablantes en parejas del mismo sexo

Background: Research on psychological abuse in same-sex couples has increased in the last decades. However, the few studies validating standardized measures to assess the phenomenon have been conducted in English-speaking countries. The Psychological Abuse in Intimate Partner Violence Scale (EAPA-P) is a self-reported questionnaire measuring psychologically abusive behaviors experienced in intimate partner relationships. The aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the EAPA-P in Spanish-speakers in same-sex couples. Method: 372 lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals participated in the study through an online questionnaire. Validity evidence was tested using factor analysis and correlations with a measure on psychological distress, as well as examining the discriminatory power of the scale. Internal consistency reliability was calculated with the ordinal Alpha coefficient. Results: The main results showed a one-dimensional factor structure explaining 52.27% of the total variance with a reliability of .95. The discriminant analysis revealed a score higher than 12 in a range from 0 to 76 as the optimal cut-off point to identify victimization. Significant correlations were found between the EAPA-P scores and depressive symptomatology. Conclusions: The EAPA-P appears to be a valid and reliable instrument to assess victimization of psychological abuse in Spanish-speakers in same-sex couples

Development and validation of the Psychological Abuse Experienced in Groups Scale / Desarrollo y validación de la Escala de Abuso Psicológico Experimentado en Grupos

The aim of this study is the development and analysis of the psychometric properties of a new instrument to assess the possible psychological abuse experienced in a group setting. The Psychological Abuse Experienced in Groups Scale was administered to 138 people who self-identified as former members of abusive groups. An exploratory factor analysis revealed a common factor, which showed appropriate reliability. The scale scores were correlated with a prior measure aimed to assess group abusiveness, providing evidence of external validity. Participants reported a higher degree of psychological distress than normative samples, and those who requested psychological counseling after leaving the group had suffered group psychological abuse to a greater extent. The scale covers a wide range of subtle and explicit abusive behaviors and overcomes the limitations of previous instruments, being useful in both research and applied settings (AU)

El objetivo de este estudio es el desarrollo y análisis de las propiedades psicométricas de un nuevo instrumento para evaluar el posible abuso psicológico experimentado por una persona en el seno de un grupo. La Escala de Abuso Psicológico Experimentado en Grupos se administró a 138 personas auto-identificadas como exmiembros de grupos abusivos. Mediante un análisis factorial exploratorio se extrajo un factor común que mostró una adecuada fiabilidad. Las puntuaciones de la escala correlacionaron con una medida previa que evalúa el grado de abuso que caracteriza a un grupo, aportando evidencias de validez externa. Los participantes reportaron un mayor grado de malestar psicológico que en muestras normativas y aquellos que buscaron atención psicológica tras abandonar el grupo reportaron haber sufrido abuso psicológico en mayor grado. La escala cubre un amplio rango de conductas abusivas tanto explícitas como sutiles y permite superar las limitaciones de instrumentos previos, resultando útil tanto en el campo académico como en el aplicado (AU)

Collective Self-Esteem and Depressive Symptomatology in Lesbians and Gay Men: A Moderated Mediation Model of Self-Stigma and Psychological Abuse.

The context of stigma, in which lesbians and gay men live in most countries, exposes them to possible discrimination and promotes the internalization of negative attitudes about their own sexual orientation, which may have negative consequences for their mental health. Their psychological distress may increase when lesbians and gay men are exposed to other sources of stress such as intimate partner violence. With the aim of analyzing the relationship between these variables, this study intends to present a moderated mediation model that proposes: (a) self-stigma mediates the relationship between private collective self-esteem and depressive symptomatology; (b) receiving psychological abuse within same-sex couples moderates the relationship between self-stigma and depressive symptomatology. For this purpose we conducted an online survey with a sample of 357 Spanish lesbians and gay men. Our findings show that self-stigma mediates the relationship between private collective self-esteem and depressive symptomatology. Furthermore, participants who had higher levels of self-stigma and received more psychological abuse by the partner showed stronger negative effects on depressive symptomatology. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Development and validation of the scale of psychological abuse in intimate partner violence (EAPA-P) / Desarrollo y validación de la Escala de Abuso Psicológico Aplicado en la Pareja (EAPA-P)

BACKGROUND: In the context of intimate partner violence, psychological abuse (PA) has progressively gained scientific relevance. Even so, a greater effort is needed to define and evaluate psychological intimate partner abuse. A new exhaustive and operative taxonomy of PA strategies leads to the contribution of a new evaluation instrument. METHOD: Participants were 101 women between 24 and 82 years old, who were abused by their partners and attended to in different municipal Catalan services, specialized in the topic. RESULTS: The analyses have shown the suitability of a 19-item instrument divided into two factors: (1) direct PA strategies and (2) indirect PA strategies. The former includes strategies that affect the emotional, cognitive and behavioral dimension of the victim. The latter includes items that measure the amount of control and domination over the victim's context. This scale has adequate psychometric properties in terms of score reliability and the validity of the relationship with other women's health variables. CONCLUSIONS: The EAPA-P, created based on a new definition and taxonomy of the forms of PA, is presented as a valid instrument to detect and measure intimate partner PA

ANTECEDENTES: en el contexto de la violencia en la pareja, la de tipo psicológico ha ido ganando relevancia científica. Aun así, es preciso un mayor esfuerzo para delimitar y evaluar el abuso psicológico (AP) en la pareja. Una nueva taxonomía de estrategias de AP da pie a la aportación de un nuevo instrumento de evaluación. MÉTODO: han participado 101 mujeres maltratadas por su pareja, de entre 24 y 82 años, y atendidas en diferentes servicios municipales especializados en el tema. RESULTADOS: los análisis han mostrado la idoneidad de un instrumento de 19 ítems distribuidos en dos factores: (1) estrategias directas de AP y (2) estrategias indirectas de AP. El primero agrupa las estrategias que inciden en la dimensión emocional, cognitiva y conductual de la víctima. El segundo recoge aquellas que persiguen el control y la dominación sobre el contexto de la misma. Dicha escala posee propiedades psicométricas adecuadas en lo que se refiere a la fiabilidad de las puntuaciones y la validez de relación con otras variables relacionadas con la salud. CONCLUSIONES: la EAPA-P se presenta como herramienta válida para detectar y medir el AP en la pareja

Development and validation of the scale of psychological abuse in intimate partner violence (EAPA-P).

BACKGROUND: In the context of intimate partner violence, psychological abuse (PA) has progressively gained scientific relevance. Even so, a greater effort is needed to define and evaluate psychological intimate partner abuse. A new exhaustive and operative taxonomy of PA strategies leads to the contribution of a new evaluation instrument. METHOD: Participants were 101 women between 24 and 82 years old, who were abused by their partners and attended to in different municipal Catalan services, specialized in the topic. RESULTS: The analyses have shown the suitability of a 19-item instrument divided into two factors: (1) direct PA strategies and (2) indirect PA strategies. The former includes strategies that affect the emotional, cognitive and behavioral dimension of the victim. The latter includes items that measure the amount of control and domination over the victim’s context. This scale has adequate psychometric properties in terms of score reliability and the validity of the relationship with other women’s health variables. CONCLUSIONS: The EAPA-P, created based on a new definition and taxonomy of the forms of PA, is presented as a valid instrument to detect and measure intimate partner PA.

Group psychological abuse: taxonomy and severity of its components / Abuso psicológico en grupos: taxonomía y severidad de sus componentes

The purpose of this study was to delimit group psychological abuse through a psychosocial approach. An operational definition of the phenomenon and a taxonomy of group psychological abuse strategies were proposed based on a review of the scientific literature. A panel of 31 experts in the area evaluated the content of the taxonomy and judged the severity of the strategies through a Delphi study. Group psychological abuse was defined by the application of abusive strategies, their continued duration, and their ultimate aim, i.e., subjugation of the individual. The taxonomy showed adequate content validity. Experts’ judgments allowed for hierarchically organizing the strategies based on their severity, being the most severe those directed to the emotional area. Operationalizing, classifying, and organizing the strategies hierarchically contributes to a better delimitation of the phenomenon, which is useful for both the academic and applied fields (AU)

Se diseñó un estudio con el propósito de delimitar el abuso psicológico en grupos desde una aproximación psicosocial. A partir de una revisión de la literatura científica, se propuso una definición del fenómeno y una taxonomía de las estrategias de abuso psicológico en grupos. Un panel de 31 expertos evaluó el contenido de la taxonomía y juzgó la severidad de las estrategias a través de un estudio Delphi. El abuso psicológico en grupos es definido por la aplicación de estrategias abusivas, su duración continuada y su objetivo último, el sometimiento del individuo. La taxonomía mostró una adecuada validez de contenido. El juicio de expertos permitió jerarquizar las estrategias en función de su severidad, siendo las más severas aquellas que inciden en el ámbito emocional. Operativizar, clasificar y jerarquizar las estrategias contribuye a una mejor delimitación del fenómeno, útil tanto en el campo académico como en el aplicado (AU)

Taxonomy and hierarchy of psychological abuse strategies in intimate partner relationships / Taxonomía y jerarquización de las estrategias de abuso psicológico en la violencia de pareja

Este estudio se centra en analizar los componentes del abuso psicológico en la violencia de pareja desde un enfoque psicosocial. Tras realizar una revisión de los estudios sobre el tema, se plantea como primer objetivo el proponer una nueva taxonomía de estrategias de abuso psicológico, acompañadas de sus respectivas definiciones operativas. A partir de esta nueva clasificación, se traza un segundo objetivo que se centra en someter esta clasificación al juicio de un grupo de expertos a través de un estudio Delphi, en el que han participado 32 expertos de los ámbitos académico-universitario y profesional. Estos expertos debían juzgar la adecuación del sistema de categorías, además de evaluar cuantitativamente la severidad que aporta cada una de las estrategias al fenómeno global del abuso psicológico en la pareja. Los resultados muestran que los expertos ratifican la nueva clasificación de estrategias y sus definiciones operativas, avalando así su validez de contenido y constructo. Además, jerarquizaron las estrategias de abuso, atribuyendo mayor severidad a las de tipo emocional, seguidas de las relacionadas con el contexto cercano, de las de tipo cognitivo y, por último, las de tipo conductual. Finalmente se discuten los resultados, sus limitaciones y las implicaciones que pueden derivarse de ellos

Taking a psychosocial perspective this study analyses the components of psychological abuse in intimate adult partner violence against women. Following a review of studies on the subject the main objective that emerged was the need for a new taxonomy of psychological abuse strategies, one which should include their corresponding operational definitions. The proposed new classification was then evaluated by means of a Delphi study involving 32 experts from the academic and professional worlds. These experts were asked to assess the suitability of the system categories and to rate the severity of the impact made by each of the strategies on the global phenomenon of psychological abuse in couples. The results show that the experts ratified the new classification of strategies and the corresponding operational definitions, thereby endorsing their content and construct validity. When rating the strategies according to the severity of their impact, those of an emotional nature were considered the most severe, followed by those related to the immediate context, those of a cognitive nature and, finally, behavioural strategies. We discuss the results and their implications

Adaptación y validación de la versión española de la escala de conductas negativas en el trabajo realizadas por acosadores: NAQ-perpetrators / Assessing negative acts performed by bullies at work: spanish validation and daptation of the NAQ-perpetrators questionnaire

La mayoría de estudios sobre mobbing o acoso laboral se han centrado en las víctimas y en sus percepciones. Tan solo unos pocos estudios han tratado de evaluar a los acosadores directamente. Sin embargo lo han hecho sin un instrumento de medida convenientemente validado. Este artículo presenta la adaptación y validación de una escala de conductas negativas realizadas (NAQ-P), basada en la Escala de Conductas Negativas-Revisada para víctimas (Moreno-Jiménez et al., 2007). Con una muestra de 521 empleados de un total de 20 organizaciones de diferentes sectores de actividad ubicadas en España, se recogieron datos acerca de las conductas negativas realizadas y recibidas, así como de otras variables como el liderazgo transformacional, el género o el estatus ocupacional. Los resultados mostraron que un modelo de dos factores (acoso personal -3 ítems- y acoso relacionado con el trabajo -4 ítems-) se ajustaba mejor a los datos que los otros modelos considerados. Además, los resultados mostraron que el instrumento tenía una buena consistencia interna y una adecuada validez de constructo y discriminante(AU)

Most studies on workplace bullying have been focused on victims and their perceptions. Recently, a few number of studies have directly evaluated perpetrators, unfortunately, without a validated questionnaire. Based on the NAQ-RE (Moreno-Jiménez et al., 2007), this article reports a study on a Spanish adaptation and validation of a negative acts questionnaire focused on perpetrators (NAQ-P). Using a sample of 521 employees from 20 organizations of different sectors across Spain, data about victimization, perpetration, and transformational leadership, gender and occupational status were collected. The results showed that a model of two factors (person-related -3 items-, and work-related -4 items- workplace bullying perpetration) showed the best fit in comparison to the other tested models. Moreover, the results showed the questionnaire has good internal consistency and construct and discriminant validity(AU)

Taxonomy of the psychosocial consequences caused by the violence of persecution of ETA's network.

This paper delimits and analyzes the effects of the harassment perpetrated by ETA's terrorist network in the Basque Country. The aim was to provide a taxonomy of the consequences of psychological violence and to validate this taxonomy, by means of a content analysis of 37 testimonies of victims of terrorist violence. The taxonomy of consequences of psychological violence is made up by four components: 1. the effects on the context of the persons affected, 2. on their emotional state, 3. on cognition and 4. on behavior. Results show a predominance of contextual consequences and negative cognitions. Intra-observer and inter-observer reliability analysis showed high stability and reproducibility coefficients. This study shows that harassment and psychological violence have major consequences not only for victims but also for family members, threatened collectives and even the society as a whole.

Taxomy of the psychosocial consequences caused by the violence of persecution of ET´s network

This paper delimits and analyzes the effects of the harassment perpetrated by ETA’s terrorist network in the Basque Country. The aim was to provide a taxonomy of the consequences of psychological violence and to validate this taxonomy, by means of a content analysis of 37 testimonies of victims of terrorist violence. The taxonomy of consequences of psychological violence is made up by four components: 1. the effects on the context of the persons affected, 2. on their emotional state, 3. on cognition and 4. on behavior. Results show a predominance of contextual consequences and negative cognitions. Intra-observer and inter-observer reliability analysis showed high stability and reproducibility coefficients. This study shows that harassment and psychological violence have major consequences not only for victims but also for family members, threatened collectives and even the society as a whole (AU)

Este estudio delimita y analiza los efectos del acoso aplicado por el entramado terrorista de ETA en el País Vasco. El objetivo consiste en aportar una taxonomía de las consecuencias de la violencia psicológica y validar esta taxonomía, mediante un análisis de contenido de 37 testimonios de víctimas de la violencia terrorista. La taxonomía de consecuencias de la violencia psicológica se encuentra formada por cuatro componentes: 1. los efectos sobre el contexto de las personas afectadas, 2. sobre su estado emocional, 3. sobre la cognición y 4. sobre la conducta. Los resultados muestran una predominancia de las consecuencias contextuales y las cogniciones negativas. El análisis de la fiabilidad intraobservador e interobservador muestra unos adecuados coeficientes de estabilidad y reproducibilidad. Este estudio muestra que el acoso y la violencia psicológica tienen grandes consecuencias no solo para las víctimas sino para los familiares, los colectivos amenazados y para el conjunto de la sociedad (AU)

Abuso psicológico en grupos manipuladores / Psychological abuse in manipulative groups

e ha afirmado, en los distintos ámbitos en los que se ha estudiado, que el abuso psicológico es un concepto elusivo y de difícil operacionalización (p. ej., Almendros, Gámez-Guadix, Carrobles, Rodríguez-Carballeira y Porrúa, 2009). Si ello es así en el contexto familiar (p. ej., abuso psicológico contra la pareja, los hijos o los mayores), escolar o laboral, más aún lo es en el caso de los grupos de manipulación psicológica, campo éste considerablemente menos explorado que los tres mencionados. Aunque hay bastante literatura sobre estos grupos, sus prácticas y las consecuencias psicológicas de la pertenencia a los mismos, resultan escasas las investigaciones que abordan la cuestión de la violencia psicológica —de la que algunos de sus miembros son víctimas— y, menos aún, que lo hagan a partir de hallazgos empíricos (Almendros, Carrobles, Rodríguez-Carballeira y Gámez-Guadix, 2009). En el presente trabajo se revisan los estudios que han investigado el abuso psicológico en contextos grupales poniendo especial énfasis en su evaluación. Se discuten los principales hallazgos, se extraen conclusiones específicas, se detectan ciertas lagunas en la investigación y, finalmente, se sugieren orientaciones sobre futuras líneas de estudio en las que resultaría de interés profundizar (AU)

In the different settings where it has been studied, psychological abuse has been defined as an elusive concept with a difficult operationalization (e.g., Almendros, Gámez-Guadix, Carrobles, Rodríguez-Carballeira and Porrúa, 2009). If this is the case in the family (e.g., psychological abuse against the partner, children or the elderly), school or work settings, it is even more so in the case of psychologically manipulative groups, a field markedly less investigated than the previous. Although much has been written about these groups, their practices and the psychological consequences of belonging to them, few studies approach the issue of the psychological violence among groups of which some of their members are the victims, and even fewer do it using empirical findings (Almendros, Carrobles, Rodríguez-Carballeira and Gámez-Guadix, 2009). This study reviews the studies investigating psychological abuse in group settings, particularly highlighting their evaluation and discussing their main findings. Finally, specific conclusions are drawn, some research gaps are identified, and guidelines are suggested for future study lines of interest

Categorization and hierarchy of workplace bullying strategies: a Delphi survey.

This paper reports a study of the characteristics of psychological abuse strategies deployed in the workplace (mobbing or workplace bullying). Based on a literature review, the aim of the present study is two fold: firstly to propose a new taxonomy of mobbing strategies and to provide an operational definition for each of them, and secondly, to assess this taxonomy with the aid of several experts, by using a Delphi survey, and to evaluate the severity of each of the mobbing strategies. The experts were asked to evaluate the adequacy and the severity of the definitions for each mobbing strategy. Thirty experts working in various professions (psychology, medicine, law, sociology, etc.) participated in a two-round Delphi survey. The experts estimated that the new taxonomy and the operational definitions were appropriate, establishing content and construct validity. They ranked the workplace bullying strategies in terms of descending importance: strategies of direct nature, followed by indirect strategies. Theoretical implications of the study, its limitations and future research are discussed.

Categorization and hierarchy of workplace bullying strategies: a delphi survey

This paper reports a study of the characteristics of psychological abuse strategies deployed in the workplace (mobbing or workplace bullying). Based on a literature review, the aim of the present study is two fold: firstly to propose a new taxonomy of mobbing strategies and to provide an operational definition for each of them, and secondly, to assess this taxonomy with the aid of several experts, by using a Delphi survey, and to evaluate the severity of each of the mobbing strategies. The experts were asked to evaluate the adequacy and the severity of the definitions for each mobbing strategy. Thirty experts working in various professions (psychology, medicine, law, sociology, etc.) participated in a two-round Delphi survey. The experts estimated that the new taxonomy and the operational definitions were appropriate, establishing content and construct validity. They ranked the workplace bullying strategies in terms of descending importance: strategies of direct nature, followed by indirect strategies. Theoretical implications of the study, its limitations and future research are discussed (AU)

Este estudio psicosocial analiza las estrategias de abuso psicológico que se aplican en el lugar de trabajo (mobbing o bullying laboral). A partir de una revisión de la literatura científica, el primer objetivo pretende proponer una nueva clasificación de las estrategias del mobbing y dotar de una definición operativa a cada una de dichas estrategias. El segundo objetivo trata de evaluar esta clasificación y la severidad de las estrategias de mobbing a través del juicio de un panel de expertos utilizando para ello un estudio Delphi. Los expertos tuvieron que juzgar la adecuación de las estrategias y sus definiciones, y evaluar cuantitativamente la severidad de cada estrategia en el conjunto del mobbing. Treinta expertos de diferentes profesiones (psicólogos, médicos, abogados, sociólogos, etc.) participaron en el estudio Delphi de dos pasaciones. Los expertos juzgaron la nueva categorización y sus definiciones operativas como apropiadas estableciendo de este modo, validez de contenido y de constructo. Además, jerarquizaron las estrategias de mobbing resultando en su conjunto con mayor severidad las de naturaleza más directa, por encima de aquéllas más indirectas. Finalmente, se discuten los resultados y las limitaciones de esta investigación, así como las implicaciones teóricas y prácticas que pueden derivarse de ella (AU)

Strategies of psychological terrorism perpetrated by ETA's network: delimitation and classification.

This paper defines and analyzes the harassment perpetrated by ETA's terrorist network in the Basque Country, providing a taxonomy of its strategies of psychological violence. The usefulness of this taxonomy has been tested and contrasted by means of a content analysis of 19 testimonies of persons who were the victims of violence by the terrorist network. The taxonomy of strategies of psychological violence is made up of four dimensions that emphasize the actions on the context of the persons affected, and on their emotional state, cognitions, and behaviour. Results show the predominance of emotional and cognitive strategies. Intra-observer and inter-observer reliability analysis in coding showed a Cohen's Kappa coefficient of .92 and .87, respectively. The psychological violence analyzed in this study reflects a form of psychological terrorism that harasses and persecutes a specific sector of the population.